The Billionaire's Island Bride

And yet, the thought of her not being here, in this house, in this kitchen, suddenly seemed wrong.

“I’m sorry about that. It’s definitely an unintended consequence. I guess it must seem as if I’m invading your home. That’s not my intention at all. I hope you believe that.”

She nodded but didn’t meet his eyes. Instead she sliced him more bread. He got the feeling that it was more to keep her hands busy than anything.

He reached over and put his hand over hers.

She stopped breathing.

Something changed in that moment, in that small but intimate physical touch. He felt it in his solar plexus, reaching in to grab him and hold him captive. It had been meant to reassure. But as her gaze darted to his, the energy between them became something bigger. Something unexpected.

She slipped her hand away from his. “Would you like more soup?”

It had rattled her, too. Cole cleared his throat and knew he’d better get out of there before he started sharing other things or, worse, inviting her to share. The idea was to convince her to sell. Not get himself tangled up in her.

“I should get back. I really just came with the peace offering.”

Brooklyn gathered up their bowls and took them to the sink. “Thank you. And I appreciate the clarification on the dock maintenance.”

Cole stood and brushed a few breadcrumbs off his pants. “I want us to deal fairly with each other. It’s not my intention to cause you financial hardship.”

She spun around and pinned him with a stare. “Don’t worry about my financial situation. I’m doing just fine.”

Dammit, he’d stepped in it again. Just when he’d let down his guard a little. “I’m sure you are. But no one wants an unexpected expenditure, do they?”

Marvin had reappeared and he leaned over to give the pup a pat and a bit of an ear rub. “You’ve got a great dog. I never had one growing up.”

“But you like them.” Her voice was softer. “That’s pretty obvious.”

“I do. Very much.” Marvin leaned into a scratch, which delighted Cole immensely. “You’re such a good boy, aren’t you, Marvin? Mmm...that feels good.”

When he looked up, Brooklyn was smiling. Damn, she was so beautiful when she smiled. He was going to have to step carefully there.

“He likes you, too. You can stop by for a game of fetch when you need to,” she offered.

It was unexpected and he frowned. “Really? You’re inviting me to play with your dog?”

She shrugged. “Dogs are great healers, Cole. From what you said, you probably need him as much as he needs a good game of throw-the-tennis-ball.”

“Thanks,” he said quietly, standing again. “Maybe I’ll do that.”

But as he said his goodbyes and made his way down the path from her house, he wondered what kind of recovery she’d needed, and if Marvin had been there for her. He hoped so. The thought of Brooklyn, such a strong, beautiful, independent woman needing some sort of healing made his stomach tie up in knots. If she’d had to recover from something, he hoped she hadn’t had to do it alone.

CHAPTER FOUR

BROOKLYN KNEW THE day the executives arrived because the helicopter made an appearance, swinging low over the house before disappearing over the trees to the landing pad. She stepped away from the window and went back to printing shipping labels. She’d spent too much time thinking about Cole and that moment when he’d touched her hand. Something had happened between them, like a bolt of lightning. The startled look on his face had told her he had felt it, too. It made everything more complicated.

She should just brush it off and regain her common sense. But the past few nights, when she’d gone to bed, she’d lain awake thinking of how he’d brought Marvin a present and the way he patted the dog and rubbed his ears. Marvin was the most important thing in her life, really. As much as it would be more convenient for her to still hate Cole, his actions suggested an unexpected kindness and gentleness.

Kindness didn’t translate into trust, though. He was a long way from accomplishing that.

Better to focus on the present. She needed to go over to the mainland again today. She’d finished dyeing another batch of yarn and had packed up new orders to be shipped away. Fall was a busy time for her. As the weather cooled, people picked up their knitting needles again and started on a number of projects. Even though it was only early October, Christmas orders were already flooding in.

She should forget about Cole and think more about the holiday season and building up her stock.

The seas were calm and the day clear, and the trip seemed to take no time at all. The first stop for her was the post office, which took a fairly long time as she had a number of shipments. Then she drove down to Liverpool to visit Delilah. Even though Brooklyn had her own yarn business, there were many specialty yarns that she sourced elsewhere. Right now she was hoping Delilah had a new shipment of alpaca yarn. She loved working with it, and her customers liked it, as well, since it was lighter than wool and wasn’t scratchy.

Delilah was at the store but more than happy to go to lunch. They headed to a local inn and dined on hearty chowder and fresh bread.

Delilah, who was in her midforties, took a look at Brooklyn and angled her head, as if assessing. “There’s something different about you. A different kind of energy.” She thought for a moment and shrugged. “You’ve perked up.”

Heat slid up Brooklyn’s neck. “I love the fall. It’s my favorite time of year.”

“I don’t think so. What’s going on in your life?” She leaned forward. “Have you put up that online dating profile like I suggested?”

Brooklyn laughed and spooned up more chowder. “No, I didn’t. It’s nothing, really. I mean, I met the new owner of the house. Otherwise I’ve just been busy.” She raised an eyebrow. “After what I just spent at your store, you can tell I have orders piling up.”

“What’s he like? Is he old with a big paunch and stinking rich?”

She laughed, but the image of Cole standing at her door with cake and wine stuck in her head and her heart gave a little thump. “He’s stinking rich, from what I gather. He’s maybe thirty-five? And quite good-looking.”

“Ooh. Some island romance in your future?” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Yeah, and wouldn’t that be awkward. You don’t...you-know-what where you eat, Del. Besides, he’ll be here a bit and then have to go back to New York. That’s where his businesses are. He’ll only be on the island now and again.”

To her surprise, the thought made her a little lonely. She was used to having someone else for company. The summer hadn’t been that bad, because the weather had been great and she’d had the gardens to keep and her own vegetable plot. In the wintertime, though, she often got storm-stayed. During those times, she’d often gone up to the big house with Ernest and Marietta and they’d played cards and eaten great food and it had been more than pleasant. Her house was cozy as anything, but the thought of facing the winter without any company at all... Maybe she should consider finding an apartment or something in town. But how could she afford two places? Right now she was mortgage-free and the business was more than enough to keep her comfortable. But if she had to add a thousand a month or so to her bills, it would make things tight.

She sniffed a little. A thousand a month was probably Cole Abbot’s wine budget. Or whiskey, or scotch, or whatever pricey alcohol he drank. She’d looked up the wine he’d brought. She was used to the ten-to-twenty-dollar bottles. The one he’d brought had been sixty. She was saving it for a special occasion.

“So, young, rich, not a troll,” Delilah said, ticking each attribute off on her fingers. “Remind me again why you’re not making a move to tap that?”

Brooklyn snorted. “Thanks, Del, for getting right to the point.”

“Any time.” Her face softened, and she patted Brooklyn’s hand. “Look, I just want you to be happy. And I know you don’t need a man for that. I just worry that you... Well, you’ve closed yourself off to possibilities because of what happened.”

Del was one of the few people who really knew about Brooklyn’s trauma. Being a victim of a violent crime had changed Brooklyn, made her more wary and less trusting. Sure, she’d done all sorts of therapy and she was doing well. But she’d also built the life she wanted and didn’t like the disruption.

She’d had enough counseling to understand that she liked guarantees. She wasn’t a risk-taker, and in her mind, love was the biggest risk of all.

“It’s not that, Del.” She took a sip of her tea and sighed. “I mean, I’m not physically afraid of a relationship.” The assault hadn’t been sexual. It had been a straight up robbery, and looking back, it seemed like something from a movie. It certainly felt like it had happened to someone else. The fear had been cold and debilitating. The hard press of the gun dug into her ribs and she could still feel the painful grip of his big hand on her arm. For a few terrified moments, she’d been his hostage. But when he got into the car, she’d managed to scramble out the passenger side and he’d sped off. She’d been safe, yet forever altered.

“No, sweetie,” Delilah said gently. “You’re afraid of living. Everything happens in good time, but sometimes people come along that shake us up a bit.” She smiled. “Maybe this guy is going to shake you up.”

He already had. “He likes Marvin, and Marvin likes him back, the traitor,” she confessed. “Then again, pats and treats go a long way with dogs.”

Delilah grinned. “Not just with dogs. I’m partial to pats and treats myself.”

“Delilah!” Brooklyn started to laugh and put down her teacup. Delilah had been married to the same guy for fifteen years and they were still adorable together. “This is why I love you.”

“And here I thought it was because you get a bulk discount at the store.”

“I’m nicer than that.”

“I know that. I hope you do. Anyway, if this guy isn’t going to be on the island that much, why not have a thing or see where it goes? God knows you deserve it.”

Brooklyn had gone “home” to recover, really. The trauma from those five minutes in her life had resulted in crippling fear and panic. Life was much better now, but she didn’t like change. Didn’t want it.

Even one as sexy and intriguing as Cole Abbott.

When she returned home later that afternoon, she put her supplies in the house and took Marvin out for a walk on the beach so he could get a good romp in before the weather changed. The forecast called for rain later in the evening, and Brooklyn could feel the change in air pressure and humidity as she threw a stick of driftwood for Marvin. He was four now, and his energy level was still that of a puppy, though he definitely had more discipline. He came running back and dropped the stick at her feet, panting happily, eyes flashing as he waited for her to throw it again. She did, then walked on, the sharp wind buffeting her ponytail, pulling strands out to blow around her face, and puffing her jacket out behind her. The calm seas of earlier were now gray with little white caps. Tonight would be the perfect night to finish her shawl and then move on to holiday projects.

Delilah had given her food for thought. Not that she wanted to have a torrid affair or anything. It was more the reminder that she’d hidden herself away here.

She’d even withdrawn from her family. Her parents lived in Halifax, where her dad worked for a courier company and her mom was a nurse. Her brother and sister no longer lived in Nova Scotia; her sister was a geologist working in Alberta, and her brother an environmental engineer for a US company based out of Maryland. Brooklyn took the stick from Marvin and threw it again, watching him spin up sand as he chased after it. Brooklyn had been in her third year of her science degree when the assault happened. Then everything had changed.

She got to the end of the sandy stretch and climbed the path to the grassy expanse above. Darkening skies told her she should get home soon; she wasn’t keen on getting caught in the rain, especially with Marvin and his wet dog smell. She called for him to come and was answered with a bark that sounded farther away than she anticipated. Frowning, she directed her gaze toward the sound of the bark and saw Marvin’s golden coat running through the tall grass, headed toward Cole.

Not fair, considering Delilah’s words still echoed in her head. Hopefully she could remain cool and detached and not blush.

Cole lifted a hand in greeting, and Marvin bounced and danced beside him.

“My dog is incredibly undisciplined,” she said as he approached. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Marvin’s great. I wish I’d had a dog as a kid. My folks said no because they are dirty and then pets aren’t allowed in dormitories.”

“Even for rich kids?”

He laughed. “Even for rich kids. Merrick was a great school. It’s where I met Jeremy and Branson. But no dogs, sadly.”

“Jeremy, as in your Realtor?”

He nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”

“And Branson is...”

“Branson Black.”

She tried not to let her mouth drop open and failed. “The novelist.”

“That’s the one.” Cole grinned. “We’ve been best friends since we were thirteen.”

Brooklyn had been brought up in the city. All her classmates were God knows where. She’d made friends here, though. Good ones, like Delilah. Besides, in a small town, everyone pretty much knew everyone else.

Which meant most knew something about why she’d moved home while in university and holed up on the island. It was a hard place to keep secrets.

“Aren’t your guests on the island?” she asked, waving the stick for Marvin. She tossed it and he ran off, while Cole chuckled.

“They don’t need babysitters. Right now they’re settling in. Getting downtime.” He grinned. “I confiscated their phones when they arrived. Cue looks of panic.”

“That’s torture.” But she grinned in response.

“You would think so. I let each person send an ‘I’ve arrived’ message and then that’s it for four days. Either people are napping, or working out, or trying to figure out a way to work without being connected. Switching out of that mindset is hard, and it takes time. We’ll get together tonight at dinner.”

“Cool.” They walked on, down the path toward the lane that ran the length of the island from her house to his. Marvin trotted around with the stick of driftwood in his mouth, proud of his new possession. A gust of wind buffeted them and there was a bit of mist in it. The rain wouldn’t be far off now.

“Looks like we’re in for some nasty weather.”

“Just some rain.” She put her hands in her jacket pocket. “By tomorrow night it’ll be clear again. But it was choppy on the water today. I hit some big waves on the way back.”

“You’re not scared doing that?”

She laughed. “I’ve been piloting around this island since I was old enough to see over the wheel. And when the weather is really bad, I stay home.” She let out a sigh. “Honestly? Sitting by my window with a glass of wine, watching the rain? It’s cozy and pretty relaxing.”

“Hmm. I kind of wish I could do that tonight. Instead I’m going to try to deal with five VPs who are going through tech withdrawal.”

She bit down on her lip. Had he just said he wanted to spend the evening with her, or had he been speaking theoretically? She tried to imagine Cole in her small living room and couldn’t make it fit. Then she thought of the great room at the house, with the windows facing the water, and could totally picture him sitting there, swirling a brandy or something, watching the rain. A very different world from hers.

Their steps had slowed as they reached the lane. To the right was his house, gray and imposing, absolutely stunning. She’d been inside lots of times when Ernest had owned it, and wondered what sort of changes Cole had made to the decor. Maybe someday she’d get to see inside again. But not today. Today he was...well, if not working, he was busy with his guests.

“I meant to ask you. Do you know if Ernest had someone taking care of the grounds? I have my caretakers, but they had a few questions about what’s in the shed and about a couple of the plants in the garden. If you knew who they could contact...”

She smiled. “Send them down to the house, or have them call me. I can give them the details.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Cole, I looked after the grounds for Ernest. I love gardening. He paid me a monthly wage and I mowed the grass, tended his flower beds and did his snow removal.”

Cole stopped and stared at her. “You did?”

She started laughing. “Did you think I had someone here to do it for me? Granted, my little flower beds and lawn are tiny in comparison, but if I want off the island in the winter I have to clear the lane so I can get to the dock. There’s a nice little tractor up there with a blower attachment. Works great.”

“Oh. Well.” He stared a moment more, apparently still recovering from his surprise. “This monthly wage thing...” An awkward silence followed.

“I can live without it. I knew when Ernest sold the house that gig would come to an end. To be honest, Ernest was too old to do it all, and he wouldn’t hear of me doing it without being paid. It worked for both of us.”

“I see. I just don’t want to deprive you of any income.”

She lifted her chin. It was the second time he’d made that sort of comment to her, insinuating she was down on her luck. She was actually doing pretty well for herself. She had a new holiday pattern going up on a popular site this month, and because she’d built a solid reputation for accurate and clear pattern instructions, every time she sold a new pattern, she saw increased downloads.

One of the things she really wanted to do was put together her own book of patterns and find a publisher.

“I’m doing fine, thanks. Of course you should have your own employees take this over.” And to be honest, it would feel strange, working for Cole.

“Raelynn would also like your recipe for that soup you made the other day. I raved about it.”

“Oh, well, that’s easy enough. As I said, send her down. I’m not headed anywhere for a few days.”

“Thanks, Brooklyn. I appreciate it.”

She looked over at him. “I suppose this means we’re being friendly now.” She deliberately used the verb instead of the friend noun. Acting friendly didn’t necessarily constitute friendship.

“I suppose it does.”

And he smiled.

He was pretty gorgeous at any time, but when he smiled it was something different altogether. His eyes got tiny crinkles in the corners and his whole body seemed to relax with it. Right now, in the gloominess of the coming rain, his eyes seemed grayish blue, but she’d noticed the other day in the sun that they were a clear, bright blue that seemed to look right inside her. Kind of like the ocean, changing color depending on the weather and the storms going on inside.

“You should get back to your guests. They’re probably trying to figure out how to get internet on your TV.”

He grinned again. “I turned off the Wi-Fi.”

“Sneaky.” She couldn’t help but smile back.

“I know we’ll be outside some, but I’ll make sure we don’t invade your privacy.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

They said their goodbyes, but as Cole walked away, Brooklyn sighed. She almost wished he’d invade her privacy. She couldn’t imagine making a move herself, and knew without a doubt he was not for her. And yet a part of her wished he might be, just a little. Even though he was exactly the wrong kind of man, and not at all what she needed.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.